If you’re a beer drinker, you know that there are many different styles of beer on the market. There are porters, stouts, ales, lagers and witbiers to name a few. But, did you know that you can make your own beer? Brewing your own beer is a fun and rewarding hobby that requires attention to detail.
The basic ingredients of beer are malted barley, water, hops and yeast. The brewing process is both a science and an art, as the brewmaster can express creativity in the selection of grains, hops and yeast that create many different styles of beer.
During the brewing process, the starches of the grain are converted to sugars. The sugars are then fermented by yeast into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. This fermentation process is what makes beer taste the way it does.
Many beer drinkers add extra flavors to their beer through “enhancements.” The most common enhancer is the addition of spices or herbs. The brewer should exercise caution when adding these, as overdoing can lead to bitter tasting beer.
Once the fermentation process is complete, the beer is filtered and then bottled or kegged. To help with the bottling process, a beer bottle brush and sanitizer are helpful. Most brewing equipment and ingredient kits come with everything you need to bottle your beer except for bottles and caps (which can be reused after sanitizing). If you’re planning on brewing multiple batches, consider purchasing a large plastic or glass bottling container.
